Question

A drifter on the surface of the ocean performs inertial oscillation. The speed of the drifter is 2 m s$^{-1}$ and the Coriolis parameter at the latitude is $2 \times 10^{-4}$ s$^{-1}$. The radius of the inertial oscillation is _________ km. (Round off to the nearest integer)

Hint:

The radius of inertial oscillation is determined by the drifter's velocity and the Coriolis parameter.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 9

The radius of the inertial oscillation is given by the formula: \[ r = \frac{v}{f} \] Where:
- \( v = 2 \ \text{m/s} \) (drifter speed),
- \( f = 2 \times 10^{-4} \ \text{s}^{-1} \) (Coriolis parameter).
Substituting the values: \[ r = \frac{2}{2 \times 10^{-4}} = 10000 \ \text{m} = 10 \ \text{km} \] Thus, the radius of the inertial oscillation is: \[ \boxed{10~\text{km}} \]